theme song

noun

plural theme songs

1

: a song or melody strongly associated with someone or something

a famous performer's theme song

the theme song of a political campaign

often : an identifying melody or song typically played at the beginning of a movie, television show, etc., and sometimes recurring during its course

Some of these shows were truly unforgettable, with catchy theme songs that are instantly recognizable decades later.

—Grant Butler

2

: a statement, expression, or opinion repeatedly heard from someone

But literary history is also entangled with criticism. Inevitably so; let me revert unblushingly to my theme song: in order to appreciate a masterpiece, we must be acquainted with its language …

—Albert Guerard

Examples of theme song in a Sentence

He was playing the theme song from “The Godfather.”

Recent Examples on the Web

But Joyner’s theme song is lodged forever in Charlamagne’s heart for another reason. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025

While visiting, Krasinski shot a variety of short clips of the town which later were used as the opening credits, played along with the theme song. —Erica Marrison, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Roger Moore's first outing as 007, 1973's Live and Let Die, is perhaps best known for having the series' hardest-rocking theme song. —EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025

The group’s 16th single is being featured as the ending theme song for the latest drama series starring member Ren Nagase. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for theme song

• evensong
• livelong
• overlong
• vietcong
• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong